The Writing Life Too

Fog has crept over the landscape again. Here's another reminder about the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards that I received in an email:

As you have expressed interest in writing or publishing, we would like to remind you that the entry phase of the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards is about to begin!

Submissions of unpublished novel-length fiction manuscripts will be accepted beginning this Monday, February 2nd, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. (US Eastern Standard Time). For more information about the contest, including the rules and submission guidelines, please visit the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards web site at www.amazon.com/abna.


What is the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award?
The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award is an opportunity for emerging fiction writers to join a community of authors on Amazon.com, showcase their work, and compete for a chance to get published. Sponsored in partnership with Penguin Group (USA) and CreateSpace, the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award first launched in October 2007 and received more than 5,000 initial entries. In the inaugural contest, Amazon customers voted and named Bill Loehfelm the winner with his novel 'Fresh Kills.' Several of the other Top 10 finalists also received publishing deals with Penguin.

What is the contest’s Grand Prize?
The Grand Prize is a full publishing contract with Penguin to market and distribute the Grand Prize winner's winning manuscript as a published book, including promotion for the published book on Amazon.com and a $25,000 advance.

How do interested authors enter the contest?
Contest submission period begins February 2nd, 2009, at 12:01 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Standard Time) and ends February 8th, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Standard Time), or when the first 10,000 entries have been received, whichever is earlier. There is no entry fee. To enter the contest, go to www.amazon.com/abna.

Where can I find more information about the contest?
Visit the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards web site at www.amazon.com/abna to find full contest rules. You can also sign up to receive contest updates, get tips on how to enter, and participate on the ABNA message boards.